Christmas Countdown - 5-9

Day 5 - New Christmas Stories!

Day 6 - First beautifully wrapped present

Day 7 - First of some handmade presents, and the first of my Christmas baking - Ginger Cookies

Day8 - I finished up some other handmade Christmas Presents. Fabric Covered Notebook and Coffee Sleeve

Day 9 - Shortbread cookies. Testing out an egg free recipe!

Christmas Countdown - Day 3-4

So I've been a little bit slack with posting photos so here is a catch up:

Day 3

Handmade Christmas Notecards

Day 4

Hairclip Board for the Girls

And hopefully Day 5-7 will be posted tomorrow!

Christmas Countdown in Photos!

Over at Mila's Daydreams, Adele has started a series of posts, somewhat like an advent calendar!
Shes planning to post a photo for every day counting down to Christmas, and Shes encouraged others to join in too!!
So I am taking up the challenge!
I'm not sure what exactly the photos will be of, but for today (and yesterday), I'm going to share these photos of a some Christmasy sewing that I've been doing:

6 Christmas Stockings, which will be enjoyed by my cousins 6 Littlies!

A glimpse of our Advent Calendar - Bunting Style! 

 Enjoy!

Giveaway over at My New Blog

I posted a couple of days ago about the new blog that i am writing, as i go through my 4th pregnancy.
Its only just beginning, but I'm sure there will be plenty of pre and post baby adventures to blog about!

And to help get it on its way, I am hosting a Giveaway!
Recently, in my Facebook shopping, I came across a store called Baby Laila, Handmade Goods. I think i fell in love with her bibs! 

She make beautiful bibs, as well as hair clips, little shoes and more!
And as soon as i know whether we're having a girl or a boy, I will be straight over there to stock up!!

Pop over to Mummys Getting Fat for your chance to win 2 Handmade bibs from Baby Laila, Handmade Goods! 

Muffin Tin Monday

There was no theme for this weeks Link Up with Muffin Tin Monday, so this is what the girls were served (Not in Muffin Tins Today, since the youngest is joining in now too and i only have 2!)

Honey Cornflake Cup (which we made together this morning), Pinwheels (which we also made together), sliced Apple, and Strawberry Milk (Not pictured)

I was going to try to go with a opposites kind of them, ie. sweet and savoury, etc, but the girls got impatient! Oh well, they still enjoyed it! 

Pop over to Muffin Tin Mom to see what other great meals were served up this week!

Its Christmas Time!

For the first time, Elliott has been aware of Christmas.
Sure, its always pretty hard to miss the decorations that go up in the shopping centres in October, but until this year, she didnt really get it at all.
So Shes making up for the 3 Christmas' worth of Joy she missed!
For atleast a couple of weeks, Elliott has been begging for us to "put Christmas Time up at our house" and though I've always thought that was left for the 1st of Dec, I gave in and we set up the tree on Friday.
So now, it is officially Christmas Time!

And I've taken up some Seasonal Sewing!
Firstly, heres a look at the Stockings I put together for our family. They are still awaiting names.

Next up will be the Advent Calendar! (Yes, I do realise i am cutting in fine!)

Pop over to My Favourite and see other Christmas Craftiness as we link up with

Mummys Getting Fat!

Just a quick post to let my readers know...if i have any...that i have started a new blog "Mummys Getting Fat". You can follow my pregnancy posts over there.
Never know, Might be something interesting to read!

We Play - Stamping Fun!

We haven't been painting for awhile! Its been a long list of obstacles one after another, so today, with just Elliott at home, and Bronte sleeping, I pulled out our new finger paints!

I also pulled out some Christmas Cookie Cutters for Elliott to have a go at stamping with. (As seen at Busy Brissy Mum)

I'm pretty sure she had a ball and now we have some beautiful hand made wrapping paper for Christmas!

See what others are Playing At this week over at Childhood 101!

Kids in The Kitchen!

I dont know about you but my girls LOVE getting under my feet, i mean helping,  when i'm cooking!
I love that they are so interested, and it can be so much fun making things together. Everything from stirring the white sauce, to cutting out biscuit shapes - They'll take anything!
So i thought i'd share our favourite thing to make in the kitchen together!

Smoothies -made from yoghurt, juice and chopped fruit, The girls love to pour things in to the blender, and turn it on to watch it all blend together!
We also love to pour these into an ice block mold and pop in the freezer for a yummy dessert!

Cupcakes - Who doesnt love cupcakes? The girls mostly get their hands dirty, literally, with licking the bowl, but they also help measure ingredients, pour and mix! And if we're lucky they'll last long enough to get icing on top too!  For an easy recipe pop over to Busy Brissy Mum!

Biscuits - Sometimes i make a Basic Bikky Dough and  let the girls loose with their imaginations and the cookie cutters. Much like they would with playdough, they love to make different shapes freehand (like balls, and people), and Elliott makes a good attempt at using the cutters!

Pinwheels - Simply spread some sauce and sprinkle some cheese onto a sheet of puff pastry, roll and slice! In the oven for 10mins, and they make for a perfect morning tea or lunch.
You can add whatever else you like, too! Maybe some grated carrot or ham.

Pizza - We LOVE homemade pizza at our house, and almost as much as eating it, the girls love to help make it!
I normally make the dough up myself, but am sometimes helped by E. The best part is spreading the sauce and sprinkling all the yummy toppings!
My usual recipe for dough can be found HERE but if you're after a quick simple recipe, I like to use the one that came with my daughters mini Kenwood mixer:

PIZZA DOUGH:

100gram Self Raising Flour
25g Margarine
60mls (4tblsp) Milk
4 Tblsp tomato sauce
1/2 teaspoon mixed herbs
25g grated cheese

1. Preheat oven to 180
2. Mix clour and margarine until they resemble breadcrumbs.
3. add milk and mix with a spatula to form a firm dough
4.Divide in 2 and roll out each peice into a circle about 13cm across.
5. Spread with sauce, spinkle with cheese and herbs
6. Bake for 10 mins, or until cheese is melted.

What do your kids like to help with in the kitchen?

Three Little Pigs - on Facebook!

I have just opened a FB page/ shop, Three Little Pigs, to sell my handmade cards, buntings and other items!

Today is the opening day. and we are hosting a GIVEAWAY!

Pop over and 'like' my page to be in the running to win a custom made bunting! 

Muffin Tin Monday - Movies!

Over at Muffin Tin Mom, We are back onto themes for Muffin Tin Monday, and todays theme was MOVIES!
It took a bit of a think to come up with a movie, but once decided, it was lots of fun.
So what did we choose?

ALICE IN WONDERLAND.

We went with a little tea party, which the girls absolutely loved! I had to hold them off to get some photos!

Tiny fairy bread sandwiches, mini oreos, white choc drops, and a peanut butter "Eat Me" bikkie!

We also got to use this cute little elephant teapot that my mum passed my way a few months back.

Pop over to check out how creative others got with the movie theme!

Care for Our Future.

Along my Blog reading travels, I came across Backpacks 4 Aussie Kids. Its a site (and blog) committed to putting together backpacks, similar to an overnight bag, for children and babies who are in or going in to foster care.
I was quite interested and impressed by these ladies initiative and heart, particularly because Foster Care is something that we want to be involved with in the future.
They are giving these children, who have been taken from everything they know, not only things that meet their needs i.e clothes, nappies, but also something that belongs to them, where ever they are moved to.

I am definitely getting involved with this one, and ask you to take a look at what they're doing, and maybe you can help out also.

Some of the things they are currently seeking most urgently are: 

Clothes sizes 5 and up for boys and girls (Pre-loved is welcome)
Undies - boys and larger sizes for girls
Baby items such as nappies, wipes and bottles

You can read all of the items that go into the backpacks here.  

Five For Friday - Things That Made Me Smile

So Friday is here again, and what has had me smiling??

1. Birthday cake - Just tonight we had cake for my nephew, made by my very clever sister! It was very yummy! and It was also great to hang out with 2 of my sisters and the truck load of kids that we have between us.

2. Finance - Yes, its been approved, and in two weeks time, i'm sure the house will make it onto the list again when we settle!

3. "Etta" - It was Zo who first pronounce Elliott as Etta, and today, Bronte followed suit, making that her 5th official word!

4. Brunch - My sister ER babysat the girls on Thurs, so i could go with Tim to the hospital for what was supposed to be getting the screw out of his ankle (that part didnt make me smile!). Since the appt was over and done with so quickly, Tim and I went out for brunch, and it was so lovely to sit, and drink a HOT coffee, and chat!

5. Codiene and a heat pack- I've been getting a fair few migraines this week, and i must say that anything that will take them away will have me grimacing a little less, if not smiling

Pop on over to Aspiring Mums link up, and share whats made you smile this week!

10 Cupcake You Need To Try

Number 4 on my list of cupcakes you have to try is actually a muffin.
Raspberry to be exact. But they are just so yummy, I had to share the recipe!

Raspberry Muffins

Ingredients:
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 cup Sugar  
2 eggs
2 1/2 cups plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup yoghurt ( any flavour, but i used tropical!)
1/4 cup milk 

Topping:
1 cup quick oats
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons seedless jam. 


Method:
1 Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2 Beat in eggs
3 Combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Add to creamed mixture.
4. Stir in yogurt and milk 
5. Gently fold in Raspberries (If frozen, don't thaw)
6. Fill Lined Muffin cups 3/4 full. 
7. Combine topping ingredients and spoon over batter.
8. Bake at 180°C for 25 mins. Cool for 5 mins before removing to wire rack.

Best Served Warm!

 

Big 3 for My Little E!

My baldly little baby Elliott turned 3 yesterday! 

She's been insisting shes a "big girl" for the best part of a year, but when she was still only 2, it didnt sound so big!
Some Aunties, cousins and a Opa came over to share cake with us, and celebrate her birthday, and She was absolutely wrapped with the whole thing!

Five For Friday - Things That Made Me Smile

Ok, so I'm running even later than Deb, but I think its really important to find the positive things in my week. So what has made me smile this week?

1.Sewing and Scrapbooking - I love craft. I'm not that good at it, but i find it really satisfying! This week, I appliqued a butterfly onto a little Pink Shirt, and made some cards.

2. Muffin Tin Monday - I love joining in with Michelle at Muffin Tin Mom, and my girls love it too! Its a bit of fun, and something to look forward to. 

3. Finding Ponys - My cousin was looking for two little ponys that were part of a McDonalds promotion, for her little girl. They were unavailable in her area, and when she asked people for help, I was really happy to track down the two ponys to make a little heart happy!

4. One on One time with My Big Girl - As I posted on Friday, I had quite a bit of time to spend with Elliott, and I really loved not having to do anything, or attend to anyone else.

5. Contracts - Well just one in particular! We had a valuer come out this week, so shortly, our contract on the house will be unconditional!

I wonder what will be smile-worthy this coming week!

Mummy Time for E

With Zoey off at Daycare today, Elliott was very happy to have some time with Mummy by herself (Since Bronte sleeps half the day!)

We did puzzles

Read Books

 And Practised using scissors (No Photos Here! Busy supervising!)
 It was a very lovely quiet morning!

Muffin Tin Monday - Dessert!

We've been joining in with Muffin Tin Monday, fairly frequently. However, alot of the time I don't remember to take a photo.
Today, Our Muffin Tin Meal was Dessert! Our girls don't often get dessert, and even when they do, its normally pretty healthy.

Marshmallows, Strawberries, Banana, and Custard

Five For Friday - Things that Made Me Smile

I really love following Aspiring Mum's blog! She shares alot of tips that I have found really helpful!
Recently, Deb has started a regular segment called 5 for Friday, and today, i felt inspired to join in!

So here are Five things that have made me smile this week:

1. Party Planning - Bronte's First Birthday Party is tomorrow and I have been busy being "rainbow-ish". Lots of colourful cooking! (Photos to come with Party Post)

2. Accomplishing Something - I haven't had a chance to actually DO anything, just for the fun of it lately. So the making of Tutu's for my little girls was really satisfying! (See Previous Post for Pic)

3. Zoey's voice - I know that sounds strange, but she's only just started talking properly, and its beautiful! I love her husky little voice, and her interesting sentence structure.

4. Chai Latte's - My mum introduced them to me on Wednesday Night and I can not get enough of them!

5. Tim  - Watching my Hubby getting around on crutches, and the things he attempts to do doesnt make me smile, it makes me LAUGH!  He managed to carry a basket of washing to our room the other day!

What has made you smile this week?